How MPs can get behind British blackcurrant growers this harvest season
SBF GB&I launches Ribena Blackcurrant Growers' Survey 2023 in UK Parliament | Credit: Paul Heartfield
The first ever survey of Ribena blackcurrant growers around the UK has uncovered the climate concerns facing the farmers of this iconic British crop. The results were unveiled in the Houses of Parliament by makers of Ribena, Suntory Beverage and Food GB&I (SBF GB&I) on 27th June ahead of this years’ blackcurrant harvest.
The research was launched to start a constructive conversation between blackcurrant growers and policy makers to discuss the topics most affecting farming and how the British blackcurrant industry can be supported. As Ribena uses over 90% of the UK’s blackcurrants, the survey is representative of the blackcurrant industry as a whole.
Ribena has a long-standing connection with its blackcurrant growers. The average relationship goes back five decades and, in some instances, a remarkable 70 years – spanning up to four generations of farming family.
.jpg)
However, due to the threat of extreme weather and testing economic conditions, the upcoming harvest season has arguably never looked more daunting for the nation’s blackcurrant growers. This means joined-up thinking between farmers on the frontline and our policymakers is now more important than ever before.
The survey results illustrate two challenges in particular. The first is that blackcurrant growers are worried about the weather, with half believing it to be their biggest challenge for 2023 and 74% identifying it as their main concern for the forthcoming harvest. The second is that blackcurrant growers are finding the economic context tough, with nearly 40% losing confidence in the economy compared to this time last year and 65% not expecting to grow their business in 2023 – a result of several issues, including inflation.
Blackcurrant growers have identified a range of changes that could help them weather the storms, including more environmental support to combat climate change, stimulating the labour market and more tailored financial support.
Speaking at the reception, MP for Forest of Dean (home to Ribena’s factory) and Secretary of State for Transport Rt Hon Mark Harper MP welcomed the ‘Ribena Blackcurrant Growers’ Survey 2023’, saying he expected SBF GB&I to make sure that the DEFRA Secretary and the Home Secretary are “very well aware” of the “important recommendations that have come from the grower team.”
SBF GB&I Chief Operating Officer Carol Robert followed, acknowledging the current difficulties being experienced by blackcurrant growers in the room: “For all those parliamentarians who were able to join the harvest visits last year, they will know first-hand the challenges the extreme weather conditions have on blackcurrant production, but the economic climate is not proving re-assuring either.” This was echoed by SBF GB&I’s agronomist, Harriet Prosser: “It’s clear climate change is moving the goal posts and making things harder for our farmers… The pressures on farms are great, so it is our job as customers and Government to give growers the tools, the science-based evidence and the direction for sustainable production.”
SBF GB&I Agronomist Harriet Prosser, Rt Hon Mark Harper MP, SBF GB&I COO Carol Robert and Ribena blackcurrant grower Ed Keene | Credit: Paul Heartfield
Nevertheless, Robert made clear that the will is there to continue to “adapt and innovate” in the wake of new challenges, referencing the recent successes of Ribena and its growers in driving forward the company’s £2 million investment with the James Hutton Institute in producing climate resilient blackcurrants and the trialling of an innovative new regenerative farming project: “We aim to tackle the hard things long before they become an issue,” she said.
Summarising the measures that growers had asked for from Government, Robert said: “Government can help by providing more environmental support to tackle climate change, so all of our growers are investing in new technology and techniques to increase sustainability.” Touching on the labour market, Robert continued: “Like most farmers, changes to the labour market have had an impact on their ability to operate, so we want to increase availability, particularly around harvest time”.
Robert also outlined growers’ concerns about the Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMs): “Growing blackcurrants is very efficient when it comes to land use, so in their current form, the ELMs don’t currently stack up. This is especially the case given all of our growers deliver for biodiversity through SBF GB&I’s Six Point Plan already.” Prosser added on ELMs: “At one level it’s not challenging or rewarding enough and at another it disincentivises food production… it needs to be simple, provide certainty and reward farmers for taking part… we need a range of practical, profitable options available.”
Pete Wishart MP and Ribena blackcurrant grower Geoff Bruce | Credit: Paul Heartfield
Reflecting on the event, Chair of the Scottish Affairs Committee Pete Wishart MP, who has three of Ribena’s blackcurrant growers located in his constituency said: “It was fantastic to attend SBF GB&I’s reception in Parliament. My constituency has some of the biggest farms in the UK used by SBF GB&I, and what I have been hearing from local farmers is that the soft fruits industry is facing unprecedented challenges at the moment… I was reassured that SBF GB&I reaffirmed its commitment to supporting our local soft fruit farmers, and hope that we can continue to build on these commitments in order to secure the long-term viability and sustainability of the industry.”
Rt Hon Greg Clark MP and Ribena blackcurrant grower Nick Overy | Credit: Paul Heartfield
Notwithstanding the difficulties our blackcurrant growers are facing, it is clear that parliamentarians in the room were behind them to safeguard a well-loved British brand. Rt Hon Greg Clark MP who also has a Ribena blackcurrant farm in his Tunbridge Wells constituency thought it was an “important” opportunity to hear “directly from the industry and growers”, saying to PoliticsHome: “One of the delights of my constituency which I am very proud of, is that we have blackcurrants feeding the nation’s appetite for Ribena. I value my growers very highly and they are having a tough time at the moment.”
John Penrose MP and SBF GB&I COO Carol Robert | Credit: Paul Heartfield
John Penrose MP, whose constituency hosts Thatchers Cider where Ribena’s blackcurrants are processed, called the brand “one of the most quintessentially British drinks you can possibly think of”, noting the importance of Government offering people “a certain and stable environment to work in.”
Meanwhile, member of the Environmental Audit Committee, Duncan Baker MP told PoliticsHome: “I’ve got one of the growers in my constituency… It’s a fantastic brand and we are very proud to have it in North Norfolk. It’s one of those key brands that is absolutely seen around the world as predominantly British and I think that is why we are so proud of it.”
Duncan Baker MP and Ribena blackcurrant grower Mark Buckingham | Credit: Paul Heartfield
PoliticsHome Newsletters
Get the inside track on what MPs and Peers are talking about. Sign up to The House's morning email for the latest insight and reaction from Parliamentarians, policy-makers and organisations.
